A Golden Valley man ran from officers responding to a report of screams and cries for help inside a Minneapolis apartment, then returned to the scene and was arrested with fentanyl in his possession, according to new charges.
Casey Lynn Jelks Jr., 37, faces three charges: fifth-degree drug possession, fifth-degree assault and fleeing a peace officer on foot.
According to the complaint, Minneapolis police were dispatched at about 9:20 p.m. on June 26 to an apartment complex on the 900 block of 22nd Avenue South after a 911 caller reported hearing a woman screaming, crying and calling for help. The caller told dispatchers it sounded like the woman was being punched inside an apartment.
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When officers arrived, they saw a man, later identified as Jelks, step out of the apartment in question. Police identified themselves, but Jelks immediately ran down the hallway and out an exit door, ignoring commands to stop and that he was under arrest. Several officers chased Jelks on foot while another officer stayed behind to check on the welfare of the person inside the apartment.
Inside, officers found the victim, who had a swollen lower lip on the right side and minor red contusions on her face. While police were speaking with the victim, Jelks entered the apartment again through the back door and was apprehended.
During booking, officers found a white powdery substance on Jelks. The substance field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed 2.9 grams, according to court records.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 45 surrounding cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
